Over the course of two days we will hear from an international group of
social historians of the law that spans the full breadth of career
stages, from doctoral students through postdoctoral fellows, young and
mid-career faculty and full professors. The temporal focus is on the
eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The theme of these conferences has
always been intentionally broad, with speakers asked simply to talk
about whatever aspect of their research interests them most at the time.
The results have proved rewarding: in 2009 policing emerged as a key
topic; in 2013 the relationship between justice and the press is an
evident preoccupation for many of our participants. The initial paper
thus considers the current historiography relating to crime and the
press; one panel concentrates on various components of the newspapers,
from law reports and advertisements to letters to the editor; another
panel is devoted to press coverage of famous murder trials. We expect,
however, that discussion will range widely over the field, covering
issues of process and procedure, content and format. Courtrooms include
the King's Bench as well as the Old Bailey, and the contribution of
habeas corpus to the rule of law is considered. The media theme is not
limited to text, but also includes analysis of satirical prints. Recent
interest in the history of the emotions is represented in our offerings
and foreign nationals' experience of British justice also emerges as a
subtheme.